Grid-connected solar pilot projects
commissioned in Auroville

Two grid-connected rooftop solar PV installations of 2 kW (on the roof of Ilaignarkal Education Centre, Auroville) and of 1.7 kW (on the roof of a residential building) have been commissioned in Auroville.

The pilot projects were commissioned and connected to the Tamil Nadu electricity grid during a joyful event at Ilaignarkal Education Centre that was attended by more than 200 Auroville residents, TEDA and TNEB officials, participants of Auroville Green Practices 2012, youth, children and their parents from neighbouring villages and the team members of Auroville Consulting, Sunlit Future and Auroville Electrical Service who played a key role in making this happen.

After a welcome address by Mr. N. Bala Baskar, Secretary, Auroville Foundation the solar inverters were commissioned by Mr. Sudeep Jain IAS, Chairman and Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA). After this came the big moment of connecting the systems to the Tamil Nadu grid which was done Mr. R. Srinivasan, Executive Engineer (O&M), TNEB. It was great to see the energy export meter spinning forward, indicating that the surplus solar energy was flowing into the grid.

Mr. Sudeep Jain in his address to the gathering mentioned that these pilot projects contribute to establishing the feasibility and technical reliability of these systems which will help facilitate the release of a Tamil Nadu policy for grid-connected rooftop solar. He mentioned that Auroville is the ideal place for such pilot studies and complimented the Auroville team for their efforts and commitment.

Mrs. Santha Sheela Nair, Vice Chairperson, State Planning Commission sent a message for the occasion which is reproduced below (see file link).